Legislative Activity

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act establishes a new federal excise tax on proceeds received from third-party litigation financing agreements. This tax is calculated at the highest income tax rate plus an additional 3.8 percentage points, applied annually to the proceeds received by a "covered party." The bill also institutes specific withholding requirements on payments made to financiers and reclassifies litigation funding proceeds to ensure this new tax structure is applied.

This bill mandates comprehensive federal reporting to better understand and address violence, aggression, and wellness challenges facing law enforcement officers. It requires the Attorney General to produce detailed reports analyzing attacks on officers, potential new data collection methods for non-criminal aggressive incidents, and the state of officer mental health resources. The goal is to use this improved data to recommend better federal, state, and local responses and support systems for officers.

This resolution formally honors law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing the 345 officers whose service ended in 2024. It reaffirms support for all active officers and emphasizes the need to ensure they have the proper resources and training to perform their duties safely. The bill serves as a formal expression of gratitude and remembrance for their ultimate sacrifice.

The AGRITOURISM Act establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the Department of Agriculture, led by a dedicated Director. This office is tasked with promoting and supporting farm-based tourism activities across the nation. The goal is to boost rural economies by helping agricultural businesses diversify through educational, recreational, and direct-sale opportunities.

The Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit for businesses purchasing qualified, domestically retreaded tires through 2028. The bill also mandates that federal executive agencies prioritize purchasing retreaded tires when available through the GSA schedule, rather than buying new ones. These provisions aim to boost domestic jobs, enhance supply chain security, and promote sustainability in the tire industry.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating advance electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent identification for most imports. This law defines key roles like "Importer" and sets specific age and permitting requirements for dogs intended for transfer or sale after arrival. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with creating detailed regulations within 18 months to enforce these health and documentation standards, while also outlining specific exceptions for returning pets and working dogs.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the nation's long-term fiscal health, aiming to reduce the national debt ratio to 100% of GDP by 2039. This Commission, composed of appointed members from both chambers of Congress and outside experts, must submit its final report and proposed legislation within a specific timeframe. The Act also creates an expedited, amendment-free process for Congress to consider and vote on any resulting "implementing bills."

The Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2025 aims to adjust the student loan interest deduction for married couples filing separately. This bill caps the deductible student loan interest at \$2,500 per individual spouse. It ensures that taxpayers cannot claim the same interest amount under multiple deduction provisions.

The Punishing Illegal Immigrant Felons Act of 2025 significantly increases prison sentences for non-citizens who commit crimes after entering the U.S. illegally or after being previously removed. This legislation mandates substantial minimum prison terms—including an additional five years for illegal entry followed by a felony conviction and a new ten-year minimum for re-entry after deportation coupled with a crime. The bill aims to impose much harsher penalties on undocumented immigrants who commit serious offenses.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how veterans receive assistance with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes new rules for the recognition, fees, and conduct of agents and attorneys who represent veterans. The bill also mandates increased transparency regarding available assistance and requires a review of the entire representative recognition process.

The MEGOBARI Act expresses Congress's concern over Georgia's democratic backsliding and growing alignment with authoritarian states. It directs the Secretary of State to suspend the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission until Georgia demonstrates commitment to democratic principles and EU/NATO aspirations. Furthermore, the Act establishes a policy supporting Georgia's Western trajectory while mandating reports on Russian influence and authorizing targeted sanctions against officials undermining Georgian democracy or stability.

The Save Healthcare Workers Act aims to protect hospital personnel by making assault against them a federal crime with severe penalties. It also establishes a new federal grant program to help hospitals implement crucial safety measures, such as violence prevention training and physical security upgrades. This legislation seeks to reduce workplace violence in healthcare settings across the nation.

The **Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security for America Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill designed to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and secure critical supply chains. It establishes new centralized oversight for maritime policy, creates a dedicated Maritime Security Trust Fund financed by new vessel taxes, and mandates significant federal investment in domestic shipbuilding and workforce development. The legislation also imposes stricter cargo preference rules and tax incentives to ensure U.S.-flagged vessels dominate international commerce and defense sealift operations.

The Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 modifies the National Flood Insurance Program to provide coverage for the demolition or relocation of structures facing imminent collapse due to shoreline erosion or subsidence. This new benefit offers homeowners a payout based on the structure's value, contingent upon timely action following official condemnation. The Act establishes specific payment schedules for demolition and relocation, while also setting limits on total payouts and excluding coverage for contents.

The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025 aims to significantly boost employee ownership in S corporations through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). The bill extends key tax deferral benefits for stock sales to ESOPs and removes a major restriction on this tax treatment. Furthermore, it establishes new government offices and an Advocate for Employee Ownership to provide technical assistance and resolve disputes, while ensuring ESOP-owned businesses retain small business status for federal programs.

The Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025 amends federal law to classify the distribution of fentanyl that results in death as first-degree felony murder. This change subjects offenders to the death penalty or life imprisonment if they distribute specific quantities of fentanyl or its analogues, knowing the substance contained them, and that distribution caused a fatality. The bill specifically targets distributors of two grams or more of fentanyl mixtures or half a gram or more of fentanyl analogue mixtures.

The Fight Fentanyl Act strengthens federal efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis by updating the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. This legislation mandates increased reporting on fentanyl investigations, sets dedicated funding levels through 2030, and expands HIDTA purposes to prioritize fentanyl interdiction. Furthermore, it requires the Attorney General to ensure sufficient prosecutorial resources are dedicated to fentanyl trafficking cases through temporary AUSA assignments.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) significantly amends federal law to require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. This legislation mandates that states actively clean their voter rolls and cooperate with federal agencies to verify citizenship status. It establishes new criminal penalties for officials who fail to enforce these documentation requirements.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that open water lifeguards should be formally recognized as first responders and emergency response providers. It highlights the critical, life-saving work they perform, often under dangerous conditions, aligning their duties with those of traditional emergency personnel. The bill advocates for federal recognition that matches the essential nature of their daily service.